as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalated
Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
While the motivation behind the killing is still unknown, Kirk's death has escalated anxieties about the rise of political violence in the United States and the deepening divide within American society.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
No serious person is calling for American troops in Ukraine, but Trump’s insistence on blaming Ukraine and not pushing Russia for serious concessions has escalated the conflict.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Sales collapsed, relationships soured and internal blame escalated.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The feud has further escalated after the Kentucky Republican filed a discharge petition earlier this month on a resolution to release the Epstein files, an effort that is inching closer to a sufficient number of signatures to force a vote.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
The claims escalated to the more sensational, specifically that Jack Smurl had been attacked and sodomized by the household demon.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
As the bullying escalated, Johnson contacted the district about trying to have her kids moved to another school.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
In October 2020, Lauryn and Owen began receiving threatening texts from a series of unknown numbers, which escalated up to 40 to 50 texts a day.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
Over the next five months, as the court advanced with the legal proceedings and heard the closing submissions of the defense lawyers and the attorney general, political tensions in the country escalated.
—Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
While the motivation behind the killing is still unknown, Kirk's death has escalated anxieties about the rise of political violence in the United States and the deepening divide within American society.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
No serious person is calling for American troops in Ukraine, but Trump’s insistence on blaming Ukraine and not pushing Russia for serious concessions has escalated the conflict.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Sales collapsed, relationships soured and internal blame escalated.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The feud has further escalated after the Kentucky Republican filed a discharge petition earlier this month on a resolution to release the Epstein files, an effort that is inching closer to a sufficient number of signatures to force a vote.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
The claims escalated to the more sensational, specifically that Jack Smurl had been attacked and sodomized by the household demon.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
As the bullying escalated, Johnson contacted the district about trying to have her kids moved to another school.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
In October 2020, Lauryn and Owen began receiving threatening texts from a series of unknown numbers, which escalated up to 40 to 50 texts a day.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
For example, there are those who argue that semiannual earnings reports may put increased pressure on management to provide smaller, more frequent updates to keep investors up to date.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Its studies showed no increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse events.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to a recent report by the Census Bureau, the country added more than 22 million homes between 2005 and 2024, but the effective number of vacant homes during this same time frame rose by only about 570,000.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Inflation in India rose in August.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Roots Of The 70-Hour Workweek The 996 work culture originated in China's tech and manufacturing sectors in the early 2010s, becoming widespread as the country's rapid economic growth accelerated through the mid-2010s.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The introduction of name, image and likeness money and unlimited transfers has accelerated player movement at an unprecedented rate and lowered the ceiling at the top of the sport.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Fed is in a tricky spot, balancing a weakening labor market while inflation remains relatively elevated.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
This defense looks the same — even with elevated talent — and the offense looked regressive in the opener.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As guests swelled outside the dining room, Chow and Osbourne led the lively room in a toast to New York and invitation to continue on to the comedy show.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
South Korea’s top diplomat then rushed to Washington to negotiate their release, while public fury swelled back home over what many see as a slap in the face from their longtime ally.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By 2019, Kirk expanded into electoral politics with Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) that allowed his network to directly campaign for Republicans.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Cadence has expanded this technology beyond chip design towards creating digital twins of data centers including all the functional components.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Turkish Defense Ministry/AP Key Takeaways Larger carriers carry more aircraft, fuel, and supplies for longer operations but come with higher costs, bigger crews, greater risk from advanced weapons, and trouble in tight or shallow waters.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Linebacker Luke Ferrelli, a redshirt freshman from Carlsbad High School, has a team-high 27 tackles, followed by junior linebacker Cade Uluave (24) and junior defensive back Isaiah Crosby (21).—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By inserting an extra biochemical cycle into a model plant, the researchers boosted growth, seed yield, and fat production without increasing water demand.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In 2002, the state’s delegation in the House was split 4-4, before Democrats led a round of redistricting after the 2000 census that boosted their advantage 6-2.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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